You’re Not Angry—You’re Untrained. Here’s How the Gita Fixes That
Ayush Singh | May 15, 2025, 12:40 IST
( Image credit : Timeslife )
Highlight of the story: The article titled "You’re Not Angry—You’re Untrained. Here’s How the Gita Fixes That" explores how the Bhagavad Gita redefines our understanding of anger—not as an innate flaw, but as a lack of inner training. Drawing from key verses and real-life scenarios, the piece unpacks the emotional chain that leads from desire to frustration to rage. It highlights the Gita’s practical teachings—such as self-awareness, detachment, equanimity, and meditation—as tools to master emotional responses. Using Arjuna’s emotional breakdown as a relatable turning point, the article reframes anger as a signal for self-growth, not a personal failure. Ultimately, it makes a compelling case that anger isn’t weakness—it’s untrained strength waiting for discipline.
Ever slammed a door, fired off a sharp reply, or burned in silent rage only to regret it moments later? You're not alone. For many of us, anger feels like an automatic reaction—a knee-jerk response to unfairness, disrespect, or frustration. But what if anger isn’t something we're born with, but something we haven’t learned to manage yet?
The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Hindu scripture that has guided thinkers from Mahatma Gandhi to modern-day psychologists, offers a radical perspective: you’re not angry, you’re untrained. And that shift in framing might just be the first step to mastering it.
> "From anger comes delusion; from delusion, loss of memory; from loss of memory, the destruction of intelligence; and from the destruction of intelligence, one perishes."
This isn’t poetic fluff—it’s psychological insight thousands of years ahead of its time. Anger, according to the Gita, is the result of an untrained mind reacting to unfulfilled desires or unmet expectations. The more we want, the more frustrated we become when we don’t get it. Anger isn’t born—it’s built.
The Gita maps out a simple but powerful emotional progression:
Desire → Attachment → Expectations → Frustration → Anger → Delusion.
This chain begins not with external events, but within. When you crave validation, control, or success and things don't go your way, the disturbance doesn’t come from the outside world—it erupts from within you.
In modern terms, it’s not your colleague's rude tone that angers you. It’s your unexamined expectation that people should always be respectful. That’s where the Gita offers its biggest lesson: break the chain where it starts—not where it ends.
Let’s be clear—the Gita isn’t asking us to suppress anger. Suppression only leads to passive aggression or emotional outbursts later on. Instead, it teaches self-mastery. Here’s how:
Self-awareness is the Gita’s first lesson. Before reacting, pause and ask, “Why am I feeling this way?” Is it ego? Insecurity? Expectation? This brief moment of reflection creates a gap between emotion and reaction. In that gap lies your power.
In Chapter 2, Verse 47, Krishna advises:
> "You have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions.
Anger often stems from things not going the way we planned. When you detach from the outcome and focus only on the action, anger loses its fuel. You’re no longer obsessed with results—you’re centered in effort.
This doesn’t mean being numb. It means developing samatvam—a calm, balanced state where wins don’t make you arrogant and losses don’t make you bitter. Imagine reacting to stress like a seasoned doctor in an emergency room—not panicked, but poised. That’s equanimity. That’s training.
The Gita repeatedly emphasizes dhyana (meditation) as a tool for mastery over the mind. You don’t need to sit on a mountaintop—five minutes of stillness, breathing, and observation every morning can train your brain to choose peace over impulse.
One of the most relatable moments in the Gita is when Arjuna, the warrior, breaks down in the middle of a battlefield. He's overwhelmed, emotional, and torn between duty and grief. That breakdown wasn’t a failure—it was the beginning of transformation.
Similarly, when we lash out or feel overwhelmed by anger, it's not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign we need guidance, discipline, and understanding—something Arjuna receives from Krishna, and something we can receive from the Gita.
Let’s say your boss takes credit for your idea. Old you? Furious. Ready to quit or send a passive-aggressive email. Trained you? You take a beat, observe your emotions, and ask: What’s the wise thing to do right now?
Or, a loved one lets you down—again. Instead of boiling over or cutting them off, you examine your expectations. Are they realistic? Do they reflect their nature or your fantasy?
The Gita doesn't preach weakness or submission—it teaches clarity and composure. And in 2025, when emotional burnout is rampant, those are superpowers.
Anger as a Signal, Not a Sentence
The Gita doesn’t demonize anger. It simply shows that anger is a signal, not a sentence. It points to where you're still attached, where you're still expecting, where you still have work to do. When seen this way, anger becomes your greatest teacher, not your greatest shame.
You’re not angry. You’re untrained.
But the Gita is your manual. And it’s been waiting for you to read it—not with your eyes, but with your life.
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The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Hindu scripture that has guided thinkers from Mahatma Gandhi to modern-day psychologists, offers a radical perspective: you’re not angry, you’re untrained. And that shift in framing might just be the first step to mastering it.
Anger Isn’t the Enemy—Ignorance Is
Anger
( Image credit : Timeslife )
> "From anger comes delusion; from delusion, loss of memory; from loss of memory, the destruction of intelligence; and from the destruction of intelligence, one perishes."
This isn’t poetic fluff—it’s psychological insight thousands of years ahead of its time. Anger, according to the Gita, is the result of an untrained mind reacting to unfulfilled desires or unmet expectations. The more we want, the more frustrated we become when we don’t get it. Anger isn’t born—it’s built.
The Root: Desire → Frustration → Anger
Desire → Attachment → Expectations → Frustration → Anger → Delusion.
This chain begins not with external events, but within. When you crave validation, control, or success and things don't go your way, the disturbance doesn’t come from the outside world—it erupts from within you.
In modern terms, it’s not your colleague's rude tone that angers you. It’s your unexamined expectation that people should always be respectful. That’s where the Gita offers its biggest lesson: break the chain where it starts—not where it ends.
What Training Looks Like (Spoiler: It’s Not About Suppression)
1. Know Yourself Before Reacting
2. Detach from the Outcome
> "You have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions.
Anger often stems from things not going the way we planned. When you detach from the outcome and focus only on the action, anger loses its fuel. You’re no longer obsessed with results—you’re centered in effort.
3. Practice Equanimity
4. Meditate (Yes, Even for 5 Minutes)
Arjuna's Breakdown Wasn’t Weakness—It Was the Beginning
Similarly, when we lash out or feel overwhelmed by anger, it's not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign we need guidance, discipline, and understanding—something Arjuna receives from Krishna, and something we can receive from the Gita.
Real-Life Translation: What This Looks Like in 2025
Or, a loved one lets you down—again. Instead of boiling over or cutting them off, you examine your expectations. Are they realistic? Do they reflect their nature or your fantasy?
The Gita doesn't preach weakness or submission—it teaches clarity and composure. And in 2025, when emotional burnout is rampant, those are superpowers.
Anger as a Signal, Not a Sentence
Conclusion: You Don’t Need to Be Zen—Just Willing
Mastery over anger
( Image credit : Timeslife )
You’re not angry. You’re untrained.
But the Gita is your manual. And it’s been waiting for you to read it—not with your eyes, but with your life.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!